Spring Break
Adderall abuse a concern
Stephen Davis
Issue date: 2/11/05 Section: News
Another student referred to the library as an, "Adderall supermarket [because] you can go up to anybody and ask if they have it and they won't look at you weird."
Whether students have a prescription for it or not, "Adderall helps in concentration, not studying," Director of Health Services Chad Henderson said. "Just because you take it doesn't necessarily mean you're grades will go up."
Procopio added, "Just because it might help you study better, doesn't mean you have ADHD."
Some students explain the prevalence of Adderall is due to the fact that many students do not view using it as a crime.
"It's not like smoking pot or drinking, you can't really get in trouble for it. It's not as bad as that stuff. Plus, you're doing it so that you can study, not get high."
One student with an Adderall prescription said, "I only give it to my friends who need it for studying or have a prescription. I don't usually sell it or anything, I just give it away."
One student who sold the drug said, "I have no problem selling it. There are always kids wanting it."
Students on campus said that Adderall can cost anywhere from $2 to $10 a pill depending on the dosage.
"Taking any medication without a prescription is an arrest-able offence," Drapeau said. "As for Adderall, being a controlled substance, we would follow the same guidelines the state would."
Illegal use of Adderall is punishable under the Federal Controlled Substances Act.
"Adderall is intended to be taken by people with a prescription," Procopio said. He added side affects could include "an increase in pulse, decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping, dilated pupils, and nervousness."
One student said, "I can't stop smoking cigarettes when I'm on [Adderall] and I always kick my foot up and down."
Procopio said, "Adderall can be habit forming. It's important to remember that any medication has side affects ... students who get their prescription from a doctor at Health Services are closely monitored by psychiatrists."
With or without a prescription, interviewed students knew people taking Adderall. "There's this girlfriend of mine and she's really addicted to it. She talks a mile a minute and she's always antsy. She takes it all the time and she doesn't realize how crazy it's making her. She's a totally different person even though she gets it prescribed."
Procopio said, "We have people here at Health Services who can help with Adderall addiction in addition to any other substance abuse. We can provide counseling services for a variety of problems."
Students may contact Health Services at (401) 874-2246.
Whether students have a prescription for it or not, "Adderall helps in concentration, not studying," Director of Health Services Chad Henderson said. "Just because you take it doesn't necessarily mean you're grades will go up."
Procopio added, "Just because it might help you study better, doesn't mean you have ADHD."
Some students explain the prevalence of Adderall is due to the fact that many students do not view using it as a crime.
"It's not like smoking pot or drinking, you can't really get in trouble for it. It's not as bad as that stuff. Plus, you're doing it so that you can study, not get high."
One student with an Adderall prescription said, "I only give it to my friends who need it for studying or have a prescription. I don't usually sell it or anything, I just give it away."
One student who sold the drug said, "I have no problem selling it. There are always kids wanting it."
Students on campus said that Adderall can cost anywhere from $2 to $10 a pill depending on the dosage.
"Taking any medication without a prescription is an arrest-able offence," Drapeau said. "As for Adderall, being a controlled substance, we would follow the same guidelines the state would."
Illegal use of Adderall is punishable under the Federal Controlled Substances Act.
"Adderall is intended to be taken by people with a prescription," Procopio said. He added side affects could include "an increase in pulse, decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping, dilated pupils, and nervousness."
One student said, "I can't stop smoking cigarettes when I'm on [Adderall] and I always kick my foot up and down."
Procopio said, "Adderall can be habit forming. It's important to remember that any medication has side affects ... students who get their prescription from a doctor at Health Services are closely monitored by psychiatrists."
With or without a prescription, interviewed students knew people taking Adderall. "There's this girlfriend of mine and she's really addicted to it. She talks a mile a minute and she's always antsy. She takes it all the time and she doesn't realize how crazy it's making her. She's a totally different person even though she gets it prescribed."
Procopio said, "We have people here at Health Services who can help with Adderall addiction in addition to any other substance abuse. We can provide counseling services for a variety of problems."
Students may contact Health Services at (401) 874-2246.
